Payment habits in the UK are constantly changing and more recently have revealed a fascinating shift: more people are returning to cash to help manage their budgets in uncertain times.
A report from UK Finance earlier this year highlighted that 1.5 million adults primarily relied on cash in 2023, marking the first rise in cash dependency since 2019. The UK Government has also emphasised the importance of cash in its National Payments Vision, which mentioned that “Cash remains important, and the Government is committed to protecting access.”
For organisations, this means one thing: flexibility is critical. That’s why allpay’s continued relationship with all three major cash networks has been a priority since its inception in 1994. With the introduction of both Payout and Payout NOW! solutions via the Post Office network, allpay is able to offer its clients a modern, flexible approach to cash disbursements to satisfy the needs of those dependant on cash.
The power of cash in financial control
As living costs rise, more people are turning to cash as a budgeting tool. UK Finance’s report indicated that cash is a practical choice for those looking to control spending and avoid fees. Cash makes it easy for individuals to see exactly what they’re spending — a benefit that many find essential in times of financial pressure.
For organisations looking to support customers advocating for cash, allpay’s Payout solution simplifies cash disbursement. With redeemable vouchers available at over 11,500 Post Office branches, with 99.7% of customers living with three miles of a Post Office. Payout provides fast and accessible cash access, with no need for digital banking tools. This solution is ideal for issuing refunds, benefits, or incentive payments to individuals who prioritise cash and are yet to find a digital alternative they can trust.
Bridging the gap with flexible solutions
The evolving preferences highlight the need for organisations to provide a suite of payment solutions. By offering both cash and digital disbursement solutions, allpay empowers organisations to meet customers where they are—whether they prefer the control of cash or the ease of digital wallets. With both Payout and Payout NOW!, organisations can seamlessly support a range of financial preferences, ensuring accessibility and efficiency for all.
allpay’s versatile Payout solution also allow organisations to stay responsive to the changing needs of their customers, offering secure, accessible, and reliable ways to disburse funds—regardless of changing economic conditions or evolving digital habits.
Behind allpay’s Payout solutions
allpay’s Payout solutions are designed to simplify the distribution process, making it easy to send disbursements, incentives, or refunds without the need for cheques or bank transfers.
With a streamlined process, Payout allows organisations to issue vouchers quickly through an easy to use, online portal. Here, a CSV file with customer and fund details is uploaded, processed, and securely distributed the next day. Each voucher is single-use, with real-time validation and no minimum or maximum encashment limits, ensuring fraud-free, customer-friendly service at Post Office branches.
Customer Benefits of Payout:
- Access to funds at over 11,500 Post Office branches
- Secure, over-the-counter cash collection without digital tools
- Verified customer identification for added security
- Transparent reporting and one-month voucher validity
For urgent, real-time disbursements, Payout NOW! offers all the benefits of Payout with an added advantage: instant distribution by SMS or email. This makes it an ideal solution for emergency payments or one-off cases requiring immediate funds. The portal-based process is the same, with vouchers distributed via the method of choice and ready for near-instant access.
Customer Benefits of Payout NOW!:
- Immediate access to cash for urgent needs
- Secure, over-the-counter collection
- Transparent reporting for business and client peace of mind
- One-month validity, ensuring flexibility in collection timing
- Staying Responsive with allpay
For both Payout and Payout Now, ID are checked by the experienced and trusted Post Office employees, who service millions of customers each week securely paying out billions of Government payments.
In an unpredictable financial landscape, being able to offer accessible, flexible payment solutions is essential. allpay’s Payout and Payout NOW! enable organisations to meet customer demands head-on, whether they are cash-preferred or digital-forward. With a commitment to secure, accessible, and fraud-resistant solutions, allpay helps organisations keep pace with shifting financial habits, ensuring customers get funds when they need them, how they need them.
Want to hear more about allpay’s Payout solutions? Book a demo today.
